Arcata man arrested after marijuana grow found in Six Rivers National Forest

An Arcata man was arrested after law enforcement found 182 marijuana plants and significant resource damage in the Six Rivers National Forest.

On June 18, officers from the Trinity County Narcotics Task Force, United States Forest Service and California Highway Patrol walked into a marijuana cultivation site in the Six Rivers National Forest after receiving information that people had been stealing water from the water source that feeds Salyer, according to a Trinity County Sheriff's Office press release.

Upon entering the site, officers noticed an area of the national forest had been clear cut, the release said. On one side, they saw marijuana growing in pots that were being prepped to be planted in planter boxes. Trees from the national forest were cut down to construct the boxes.

When officers cleared the clear cut, they found a tent. While approaching the tent, they heard a dog barking, the release said. Officers announced their presence and demanded anyone inside the tent make themselves visible.

A few seconds later, a pitbull mix dog was let out of the tent, according to the release. The dog was aggressive, quickly approached officers and bit an officer's K9 in the face.

When the dogs were separated, the dog tried to attack officers. An officer then shot the pitbull with a rifle, the release said.

After repeated requests for the suspects to come out of the tent, officers cut holes inside of the tent. They found two men inside along with a loaded pistol in reach of both, according to the release.

Both Samuel Barton, of Arcata, and Eric Brown, of Redding, were arrested on suspicion of marijuana for sale, conspiracy to commit a crime, being armed while possessing a firearm and destruction of forest lands. Brown was also arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the release. Brown was on supervised release out of Shasta County as a result of AB 109, prison realignment.

Barton and Brown were taken to the Trinity Councy jail. Barton is being held on $265,000 bail, and Brown on $350,000 bail.

Officers are still investigating the environmental impact, the release said.